Fluid metering apparatus



Sept. 13, 1960 y /2 /5 i /O 7 c. H; GOODWIN ET AL FLUID METERING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1957 INVENTORS Ill/AM .MEKEL VYJR. CIZ 'STER GOODM/IN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 30 FLUID METERING APPARATUS Chester H. Goodwin, London, England, and William R.

McKelvy, Jr., Decatur, Ala., assignors to The Chemstrand Corporation, Decatur, Ala., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 697,813

5 Claims. (Cl. 19- 66) tion, it is often necessary to apply a fluid such as a heating medium in a predetermined quantity to a material which is in an elongated or strip-like form. One such operation to which this invention is particularly directed occurs in the textile fiber or filament processing industry where a ICC mentary tow at the nip of a pair of crimping rolls to condition the tow for permanently set crimps.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel metering valve for a pressurized fluid such as steam which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, contains a minimum of parts, and which may be used under rugged conditions for prolonged periods of time without danger of breakdown.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a new and novel metering valve for steam conditioning filamentary material such as that formed from acrylonitrile polymers and the like which may be used to apply desired quantities of steam to successive portions of the tow substantially at the nip of the rolls by which the tow is advanced continuously so that heat and moisture is supplied to the tow for raising it to a predetermined tem- 1 perature.

pressurized fluid such as steam is applied to a continuous v:

tow of filamentary material such as that formed from acry-lonitrile polymers and the like. This application of steam not only adds moisture to the tow but, of more importance, reduces the filaments in the tow to a relatively plastic state so that the tow will react to such filament deforming treatments as stretching, relaxing, crimping or the like. a

One of the techniques proposed in present day practice for steam conditioning tow of the type discussed above is to advance the continuous tow by means of cooperating rolls while subjecting successive portions of the tow to the steam. Inone arrangement for carrying out this practice, the steam is directed into the tow at the nip of a pair of rolls through openings or ports in one or both of the rolls so that successive portions of the tow passing through the nip are heated by the steam to a predetermined temperature. This arrangement is particularly adaptable to a crimping operation and in onepreferred construction, a pair of toothed rolls are employed one of which is hollow with a perforated peripheral wall. The interior of the hollow roll forms a chamber to which steam is continuously supplied so that the steam flows through the perforated wall into successive portions of the tow as it is moved through the nip of the rolls.

It can be readily seen, however, that. not only does steam travel through the wall ports to discharge directly into the tow but steam continuously flows out of the many ports remote from the tow creating excessive loss of steam and reducing the pressure of the steam flowing into the tow so that insu'fficient steam is applied to the tow. Furthermore, as a result of this leakage, steam is discharged into the surrounding atmosphere and provides not only a constant source of annoyance and danger to individuals in the vicinity but may have deteriorating effects on the associated processing apparatus.

. Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel metering valve for a pressurized fluid such as steam.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new andnovel valving arrangement for metering steam and applying it to material in a predetermined direction and quantity.

., Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel steam valvefor directing steam into a fila- A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel steam metering valve which is self-sealing and which may be associated with ports in the peripheral wall of a hollow roll so that the loss of steam from the roll and the risk of pressure blowout is virtually eliminated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

The objects of the invention are accomplished generally by locating a valve constructed in accordance with the invention in cooperating relationship with a wall mem her which is preferably the peripheral wall of a hollow roll. The roll wall is provided with fluid passages such as a plurality of radial ports and is arranged to cooperate with another roll so as to advance material such as filamentary tow of a synthetic material which may be formed from acrylonitrile or the like through the rolls. The valve is positioned within the interior of the hollow roll and contains contact means movable into sliding engage ment with the inner surface of the roll peripheral wall. A fluid passage is provided in the valve body which is connected to a suitable source of pressurized fluid such as steam. The fluid passage in the body communicates with fluid passages in the contact means so that the steam supplied to the valve body flows into successive ports in the roll wall as the ports move into fluid communication with the fluid passages in the contact means. The steam pressure maintains the contact means in tight fitting sliding engagement with the roll wall inner surface and the steam emerges from the ports substantially at the nip of the rolls to move in desired quantities into successive portions of the tow as the tow advances. Thus by means of the steam the tow is raised to a predetermined temperature with the addition of moisture for performing a selected tow treatment such as crimping or the like.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing inwhich:

Figure 1 is a partial plan view of a pair of processing rolls with which the invention is incorporated;

Figure 2 is an end view of a valve constructed in accordance with the invention together with a portion of the rolls of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of Figure 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 44 of Figure 3 in the direction of the arrows; and

Figu'reS is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating another type of processing rolls with which the invention is incorporated.

As generally illustrative of the invention, there is shown in Figure 1 a pair of processing or nip rolls 10, 11 which are rotatably mounted on shafts 12, 13 respectively arranged to be driven by any suitable means (not shown). Perip'herally smooth processing rolls may be provided, 'if desired, but in the specific embodiment illustrated, the rolls 10, 11 are of the type known as crimping rolls and are provided with peripheral crimping serrations or teeth 14, 15 which intermesh as shown in Figure 2. Rotation of rolls 10, 11 advances an elongated strip or tow 16 of flexible material (Fig. 2) through the nip of the rolls designated generally by the numeral 17 and as is well known the intermeshing teeth 14, 15 deform the tow into a series of waves or undulations commonly known as crimps. Although the rnaterial 16 may be of any type of material suitable for the process or treatment performed by the apparatus of the invention, it is preferably a tow of filamentary ma terial such as may be formed from acrylonitrile polymers or the like. As shown best in Figures 1, 3, flanges 18, 19 are provided on opposite peripheral edges of roll 11 to confine the steam within the rolls and reduce steam leakage laterally outward on each side of the tow. Referring now to Figure 2, roll 11 which hereinafter will be referred to as the hollow roll is of hollow construction with a peripheral wall 21 and an inner chamher or interior 22. The hollow roll peripheral wall 21 is provided with a plurality of fluid passages such as radial ports 23 which are preferably arranged in sub stantially parallel rows spaced circumferentially along the wall. When the rolls are of the toothed type for crimping, the rows of ports extend along the root of the teeth as shown in Figure 1. It has been proposed to supply the inner chamber 22 of the hollow roll 11 with a heating medium such as steam so that the steam flows through ports 23 and into the tow as it advances through the rolls. As is well known, steam conditioning of filamentary tow composed of synthetic material is widely used to raise the temperature of the tow filaments to a predetermined level so that the tow acquires a plastic consistency for a deforming treatment such as crimping, stretching and the like.

One of the major disadvantages of supplying steam to the tow through a hollow roll has been the attendant flow of steam through all of the ports simultaneously in the roll during the conditioning operation which decreases the quantity and pressure of the steam flowing into the tow 16. This means that proper steam conditioning was not obtained even with the slower tow advancing speeds. Furthermore, during the rotation of the rolls the ports 23 act somewhat in the manner of a fan and draw in large quantities of air through the ports to constantly cool the roll as well as the steam traveling through the ports, thereby creating condensation and materially reducing the effectiveness of the steam conditioning operation. Therefore, in accordance with this invention, valve means have been provided for metering the steam supplied to the rolls so that the steam flows into the tow only through the ports whose outlet ends lie substantially adjacent the nip 17 of the rolls as successive rows of ports are presented to the tow during its movement through the rolls.

More specifically, there is provided, as shown in Figures 2 through 4, a fluid regulating or metering valve, designated generally by the numeral 24 which is fixedly supported within the interior '22 of the hollow roll 11. The fluid regulating or metering valve 24 is fixedly mounted relative to the frame of the machine. Although any means may be employed for supporting the valve 24 in a fixed position, the roll shaft 13 is preferably hollow to accommodate a fluid conduit 26 connected at one end as shown in Figure 3 in a suitable manner such as by pressfitting, screw-threading or the like to the body 27 of the ,valve 24. The conduit 26 is sufficiently rigid so that the valve is supported thereby within the hollow roll in the position of Figure 2 and the other end of the conduit is connected to a source of pressurized fluid (not shown) such as steam. The conduit 26 is fixedly mounted on the frame of the machine and hollow shaft 13 supports roll 11 and terminates at flange wall 19 of said roll to which it is fixedly attached.

As shown best in Figure 3, the valve body 27 contains a fluid passage designated generally by the numeral 28 prefer-ably L-shaped as shown which communicates at one end with the valve steam conduit 26.

The upper. face of the valve body 27 is cut away to provide a U-shaped channel or recess '29 (Figure 2), the bottom Wall of which contains an annular well 31 concentrically positioned relative to the leg 3'2 of the L- shaped fluid passage '28. Thus, the annular well 31 defines a boss or post 33 having an upper face 34 in which is centrally located the outlet 36 for the body fluid passage 28.

In order to conduct the steam flowing within the passage 28 to the ports 23 in the roll wall 21, contact means such as slidable head 37 is positioned within the valve body recess 29 as shown best in Figure 2. The head 37 is preferably composed of a wear and heat resistant, self-lubricating material such as nylon or the like and is provided with an upper surface 38 of arcuate shape (Figure 2) so as to conform generally to the cur-. vilinear inner surface 39 of the roll wall 21.

In order to guide the movement of the head 37 a downwardly depending sleeve 41 is preferably formed integral with the head and is arranged to move in telescoping relationship with the boss 33 as shown in Figure 3. The interior of the sleeve 41 therefore forms together with the boss upper face 34, an expansible chamber 42 having an upper wall 43. By means of a port 44- centrally arranged in the wall 43, the chamber communicates with a relatively wide slot or recess 46, preferably somewhat conical in cross-section as shown, located within the upper surface 38 of the head and extending substantially parallel to the rows of ports 23 in the hollow roll 11.

As shown clearly in Figures 3, 4, the slot 46 communicates successively with the rows of ports 23 in the hollow roll peripheral wall 21 as the movement of the roll brings the ports into alignment therewith. It should be understood that the valve 24 is mounted in such a position that the slot 46 successively communicates with only those ports in a row whose outlets are in coincidence with the nip 17 of the rolls. In the specific embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 the valve and hollow roll are constructed so that the slot 46 communicates fully with up to two rows of ports and thus insures proper flow of steam into the tow. It should be understood, however, that the slot 46 can be formed of suitable thickness so as to communicate with any desired number of rows.

As can be seen, the valve 24 may be used in a wide variety of operations wherein it is desired to direct a pressurized fluid in metered quantities through a ported wall member into successive portions of material. In the specific embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 through 4, the valve 24 is applied to a textile processing operation for steam conditioning a filamentary tow composed of filaments formed from synthetic material such as acrylonitrile polymers and the like.

In the operation of the valve to carry out a steam conditioning treatment on material such 'as described above, steam is supplied to the valve by means of the conduit -26 so that it travels through the body passage 28 and into the expansible chamber 42. It can be seen by reference to Figure 3 that the pressure of the steam in chamber 42 will expand the chamber and move the valve head 37 upwardly so that its upper arcuate surface 38 contacts the inner curvilinear surface 39 of wall 21. The pressure of the steam on the chamber top wall 43 maintains a substantially sealed relationship between the interfitting head and roll surfaces and the pressure area defined'by the chamber top wall 43 is sufliciently large that regardless of the available steam pressure, sufficient pressure always exists to maintain the head and roll surfaces 38, 39 in continuous contact during relative movement therebetween. The head slot 46 thus communicates with the inlet or inner end of the ports in each row or rows as the ports are successively presented to the slot during rotation of the rolls.

As the rolls 10, 11 are rotated through shafts 12, 13 to advance the tow 16 in the direction of arrow H and as the inlet end of the ports are presented to the head slot 46, steam flows out of chamber 42 serially through passage 44 and slot 46 and into the radial ports 23 so that steam is discharged into the tow substantially at the nip 17 of the rolls across the entire width of the tow due to the laterally spread ports in each row. Thus successive portions of the tow 16 are held momentarily between the roll teeth 14, 15 as it advances through the nip 17 and is simultaneously raised to a crimping temperature by the steam injected therein through the ports 23. The tow is, therefore, positively crimped continuously throughout its length in a highly eflicient manner.

with the steam passage 28 as shown so that a portion of the steam traveling in passage 28 is conducted into the annular well 31. Thus the steam flowing through passage 28 into well 31 tends to balance the well pressure with that in the chamber 42 as well as expanding the seal into sealing engagement with the walls of well 31 to virtually eliminate the leakage of steam from the chamber.

It is often desirable to maintain the head 37 in contact with the roll wall 21 prior to the admission of steam to the valve and consequently means such as springs 51 may be provided which are appropriately positioned in recess 52 in the valve body as shown in Figure 3. The upper ends of the springs 51 are arranged to yieldingly engage the head and urge it outwardly into contact with the roll wall prior to the flow of steam pressure into the valve 24.

The novel valve of this invention is well adapted for performing many other types of operations other than a textile crimping operation. For instance, peripherally smooth cooperating rolls 56, 57 may be provided as shown in Figure 5 rotatably mounted on shafts 58, 59 respectively so as to advance material such as a filamentary tow through the nip 61. Roll 57 is hollow to contain a valve constructed in accordance with the invention as described above. Furthermore, a fluid medium metered by the valve may be arranged to flow through circumferentially spaced parallel slots 62 in roll 57 as shown and into the material so as to treat the material in a manner similar to the embodiment of Figure 1.

It can be seen that through the novel construction of this invention, a metering valve for a pressurized fluid is provided which directs a heating medium such as steam into a tow of filamentary material in a positive and substantial leak proof manner while the tow is moved continuously relative to the valve. Therefore, steam conditioning or a similar treatment of tow composed of synthetic material such as material formed from acrylonitrile polymers and the like may be carried out simply and easily to facilitate material deforming operations such as crimping, stretching and the like. With the simple and inexpensively constructed valve, accurate control of the temperature to which the tow is raised is obtained which consequently means a more satisfactory control of the yarn physical characteristics. Another of the outstanding features of this invention is that even though the processing rolls which advance the tow continuously move relative to the valve, steam leakage is virtually eliminated and uniform treatment of the tow occurs at all times.

While there has been described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and therefore it is the aim of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A steam metering valve comprising, in combination, a valve body, an annular well in said body, a valve head having an arcuate upper surface and a downwardly depending sleeve, said sleeve arranged to move telescopically within said well to form with said body an expansible pressure chamber, a fluid passage in said head communicating with said chamber, a fluid passage in said body for conducting steam to said chamber, a second fluid passage in said body for conducting steam to said well so as to balance the steam pressure within said chamber and reduce the leakage of steam therefrom, a rotatable roll associated with said valve having a peripheral wall for supporting a material, said chamber arranged to be expanded by the pressure of steam flowing therein from said body fluid passage to yieldingly maintain said head arcuate surface in sliding engagement with the inner surface of said roll wall, said peripheral wall provided with a series of circumferentially spaced radial ports arranged to successively communicate with said head fluid passage and direct steam into the material supported on said roll, and a plurality of springs on said valve body for yieldingly retaining said head surface in sliding engagement with said roll wall in the absence of steam.

2. A steam metering valve in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rotatable roll peripheral wall is a toothed wall and said radial ports are at the roots of the teeth formed thereby.

3. A steam metering valve as defined in claim 2 wherein there is a second toothed roll mounted adjacent the first toothed roll, said rolls arranged to inter-mesh and crimp material as it is advanced therethrough.

4. A fluid metering valve comprising, in combination, a stationary valve body having a fluid passage, a head having a fluid passage operatively associated with said body, cooperating portions on said body and head movable in telescoping relationship to form an expansible chamber communicating said body fluid passage with said head fluid passage, a roll having a peripheral wall associated with said valve, said wall provided with a series of circumferentially spaced radial ports, said chamber arranged to be expanded by fluid flowing therethrough to yieldingly maintain said head in sliding engagement with said roll wall and communicate said head fluid passage with said wall ports successively during rotation of said roll, and means to conduct fluid flowing through said.

valve externally of said chamber so as to substantially equalize the fluid pressure on each side of said cooperating body and head portions.

5. A fluid metering valve in accordance with claim 4 wherein said peripheral wall is a toothed wall and said radial ports are at the roots of the teeth formed thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,394,165 Getaz Feb. 5, 1946 2,446,840 Leister Aug. 10, 1948 2,547,060 Tillisch Apr. 3, 1951 

